Our Story
We stumbled into this work. We've never stopped being surprised by it.
Evergreen Leadership wasn't founded with a business plan. It started with a sick kid, a tight budget, and the realization that the best thing a coach can do is ask a great question and then get out of the way.
Trusted by Leaders at
2008
Origin Story
Sam McKee was a youth pastor living on a tight budget in Silicon Valley. He’d lead California teens to build houses for families in Mexico. He’d help moms get off drugs and get their kids back and rebuild their lives. His life was big on purpose and small on salary which didn’t bother him until his son’s medical bills starting piling up.
His son was diagnosed with five deadly food allergies. The doctors said they could cure him — but it would cost $500/week for more than a year. Sam figured his faith community wouldn’t tolerate him becoming a drug dealer like Walter White. So he asked them for other options and advice.
Someone suggested he become an executive coach. He said: 'What? I don't know jack about Corporate America.' They said: 'That’s no problem. A consultant is paid to have answers. A coach is paid to ask smart people questions and just listen. The people end up solving their own problems — and then you bill them.' Sam’s jaw dropped and he asked: 'Is this legal in California?!'
He signed up for the next ICF Executive Coach training and the rest is history.
Sam says, 'I ended up stumbling into amazing moments of change — like Forest Gump and Ted Lasso — simply by asking great leaders and teams positive questions about their goals and next steps.'
After helping those leaders discover their own greatness, they asked him to help them build a great team. When the organizations saw that, they asked, “Can you design leadership programs that make all our leaders and teams this great?!” So he built custom programs to fit each unique company and culture and he built his team with positivity, curiosity, and customization at the core.
Evergreen Leadership grew tall and strong and Sam’s son was cured by those brilliant doctors. And Sam found his dream job and true calling in life!
Rooted in Curiosity
The Name
Founded in the Pacific Northwest, Evergreen Leadership takes its name from trees that keep pointing up through every season — toward higher purpose and higher performance. Green is the color of growth. It’s incredibly profitable and sustainable when you win by bringing out the best in your people.
The Background
Before coaching, Sam was a journalist. He learned the art of asking the right question. That instinct became the foundation of every coaching engagement that followed. We’re always curious about your North Star, your purpose, vision and ambition and we want to help you reach it!
The Mission
We help companies win by bringing out the best in their people.
There’s so many ways to win in business. You can be cut-throat and churn through people to maximize profit. But the most amazing companies find a way to win by bringing out the fullness of human potential, performance, creativity and collaboration. That’s true greatness.
We’ve spent thousands of hours with leaders like that from various industries and functions, taking note of what works and what doesn’t and what is changing and how to navigate it. Jim Collins showed us what it takes to go from good to great. But some of those companies went from good to great to gone. He wrote a another book — Great by Choice — about leaders who keep evolving through every season of change. That's the kind of leaders we build.
Senior practitioners. Curious Catalysts.
Every Evergreen engagement is led by someone who has spent decades in the room — not a junior consultant with a checklist.
Sam McKee
Founder & Principal Consultant · Executive Coach · Facilitator
Sam McKee is the founder and principal consultant of Evergreen Leadership. He and his team help organizations clarify their mission, carve out their core values, and develop great leaders, teams, and culture. From aerial firefighting pilots to healthcare leaders. From the makers of Dr. Martens boots to farmers harvesting Ocean Spray cranberries to professors teaching at Stanford University — he aims to help leaders flourish in mind, body, spirit, and teamwork.
Sam earned a journalism degree from Eastern Illinois University and a Masters in Spiritual Development from Andrews University. In 2008 he completed the College of Executive Coaching, earning his ICF certification, and launched Evergreen Leadership. In recent years he's been learning Spanish and delivering leadership programs across Latin America. When he's not working, you’ll often find him playing basketball or skiing or on the best weeks hiking or exploring the world with his wife and kids. Coming from a childhood of poverty and violence, he loves to give back and serve at the local food pantry. He also has a Formula 1 level ability when it comes to driving during epic service trips in Uganda and Mexico.
Meet Our Team
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![David Achata, senior consultant and coach at Evergreen Leadership]()
David Achata
Senior Consultant · Coach · Author
David has partnered with Evergreen for 15 years, bringing 25 years of experience developing leaders across manufacturing, healthcare, property, and tech. His clients have included The Coca-Cola Company, Microsoft, Microsemi, and Bridgestone. Raised by an American mother from a coal mining town and a Peruvian father from the Andes, he excels at creating connection across cultures. Host of the How People Grow podcast and a published author, David lives in East Tennessee — and drives a classic 1969 Mercury. -
![Fredrick Russell, executive coach and facilitator at Evergreen Leadership]()
Fredrick Russell
Senior Consultant · Executive Coach · Facilitator
Fredrick designs and facilitates executive and management learning experiences for leaders at every level — from emerging leaders to senior executives. His work focuses on cohesive high-performing teams, change management, strategic planning, and helping organizations navigate conflict through stronger communication. He serves on the faculty of the College of Executive Coaching and Penn State University's Leadership Readiness Program, and is Principal of True North Leadership Group and host of the True North Leadership Podcast. -
![Pam Rechel, executive coach and organization development consultant]()
Pam Rechel
Executive Coach · Organization Development Consultant
Pam specializes in helping leaders — including abrasive leaders — courageously face uncertain and complex situations with confidence and build lasting skills. She works with global organizations from a systemic perspective, addressing problems at the root level. She holds an MA from the Leadership Institute of Seattle in Coaching and Consulting, and an MBA from George Washington University in Information Technology. ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC). -
![Sky Jarrett, leadership strategist and TEDx speaker]()
Sky Jarrett
Leadership Strategist · Keynote Speaker · Author
Sky helps high-performing leaders master sustainable success in uncertain times — without burning out. A former Consulting Executive at Accenture and Senior Advisor with McKinsey, she is now CEO of Transcend Global. Her science-backed approach blends brain science, leadership psychology, and real-world strategies to help leaders and teams operate at their highest level. A TEDx speaker, named one of NYC Journal's Top 30 Most Inspiring Women to Watch, and creator of the Relaxed Hustle® methodology, Sky brings neuroscience and transformation to every engagement.
Our Milestones
Evergreen Leadership founded. First client: Banfield Pet Hospital.
Project Hope Uganda launched. 40 children supported in village of Ntandi. Today: 82 children, alumni working as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, farmers.
2008
2012
2017
2018
2020
Virtual delivery rebuilt with NYC actors. Improvisational leadership + escape games.
Today
We develop leaders in Amsterdam, Rome, São Paulo, Mexico City, Hyderabad, and beyond.
Leadership@Mars — decade-long partnership across North America and beyond.
Bridgestone EDGE — 1,700+ leaders across 3 continents.
Brenntag Catalyst — 1,200+ leaders in English and Spanish.
A Force for Good
Project Hope Uganda
Since 2008, we’ve helped support 82 children with food, nurture, education and career development. Each graduate commits to paying it forward for the next child. One example from this year: A doctor we sponsored through medical school sent us a stethoscope to say thanks and let us know the big heart he has for his community. We treasure moments and leaders like that.
Local community
Central City Concern, One Life Food Pantry, ShareHouse. Houseless people accessing jobs, mental healthcare, food, and stability.
Youth theater
We sponsor youth theater productions. The improvisational spirit that makes great theater also makes great leaders.
Pro-bono
Leadership training for emergency dispatchers (Illinois), career development for youth (Pacific Northwest), school sessions for Cherry Park and Galena School Districts, Rodale Institute.
Ready to bring out the best in your people?
Tell us what you're working on. We'll listen first, then co-create a tailor-made solution.